It’s the biggest investment the park has ever made and looks set to give thrill-seekers the ride of their life.

Whilst the white-knuckle enthusiasts wait anxiously for the steel mass of The Smiler to be constructed, an app has been launched for IOS and Android users to whet their appetite.

The Sunday Mercury got it’s hands on the app this week and we were impressed. A very slick creation by Cheshire developers Matmi that introduces The Smiler to the mobile generation.

For once it is not only a good bit of marketing by a big company it is also a decent product.

The Smiler

The Smiler App brings the new coaster to life letting players take control of the ride cars and navigate their way around the coaster in as perfect a line as possible.

You are rewarded for your skills with upgrade points to spend on a wide range of unlockable content.

One thing the game reveals is that the coaster is set to be an invasion of the senses with riders being ‘corrected’ through the ‘marmalisation’ process. The game shows that the rider’s body and mind will be messed with including effects such as flashing lights, optical illusions, laughing gas and tickling prongs.

Be warned though not everything will be revealed in the game, you will still have to wait to learn the full extent of your fate on The Smiler and that all important secret element.

The game also gives players the opportunity to unlock hidden content using Augmented Reality technology once they visit the theme park, including accessing additional images, videos and secret upgrades for the game.

A fun ‘Wheel Of Win’ gives players the opportunity to win a range of fantastic Alton Towers Resort prizes by spinning the wheel and hoping to land on the win section - think Wheel Of Fortune.

Players can spin a wheel for free each day, or use the points generated through the game to gain additional spins.

The Smiler app is a great package and Katherine Duckworth, told us the thought process behind it, “We really wanted to create something that would get our guests excited about the ride and give them a taste of what is to come before the new coaster opens in May 2013.”

Matmi CEO Jeff Coghlan says “Being based in Cheshire, we’ve all grown up with Alton Towers, so to get a chance to work with the team and create a game for The Smiler has been a great pleasure.

“We’re firm believers in the positives of campaigns that bring the digital and physical worlds together, and we’re really excited to unleash The Smiler App. It has enabled us to meld gamification, augmented reality and gaming all into one fantastic app.”

The app is available free now through the Apple App Store and Google Play.